84-year-old man dies from 'wedding anniversary steak'

While having dinner with his wife on their 57th wedding anniversary, Mr. Michael Pitts choked to death with a steak stuck around his throat.

Grapevine Restaurant in Odiham village, Hampshire county, southern England. Photo: BBC.

Michael Pitts, 84, was having dinner with his wife at the Grapevine restaurant in Odiham village, Hampshire county, southern England on June 16 when he choked on a piece of steak stuck in his throat, BBC reported on September 11.

Despite restaurant staff attempting CPR and calling an ambulance, Mr. Pitts later died in hospital.

Local coroner Andrew Bradley ruled the cause of death as accidental and said a medical examination found Mr Pitts died from asphyxiation combined with a history of heart disease and advanced age.

"It was a celebratory dinner that turned into a disaster. It couldn't have been worse," Mr Bradley said.

The victim's wife, Joan, 78, said that before choking, Mr Pitts complained that the steak was a bit tough, but when the waiter asked if he wanted another piece, her husband refused and joked "it might be the cow".

"I saw him coughing and just thought he was choking. I told him to take a sip of water. And then his arm fell down. He fell back in his chair."

After 40 minutes of first aid at the restaurant, medical staff found a piece of steak blocking the 84-year-old man's airway.

"That night was supposed to be the best memory for the elderly couple as they celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary at my restaurant," manager Sumin Lohani described the accident as "very sad".

According to VNE